BUSHENYI. Hundreds of mourners on Tuesday turned up in Bushenyi District for the burial of a police officer who was killed during the simultaneous tribal clashers that rocked Kasese and Bundibugyo districts at the weekend.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Wilson Mugume Bataka, 27, was laid to rest with honour at his ancestral home in Kitakuuka village in Bumbaire Sub-county.

Police said he was killed on Saturday at 4pm while on duty in Bundibugyo District where he served as an officer in charge of the station.Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura described the deceased as a young dedicated, disciplined and well behaved officer who still had a lot to contribute to the Force and the country.Bushenyi Greater Regional Police chief Paul Nkore appealed to mourners not falter in supporting their children to join the police for the wellbeing of their society.

He refuted speculations that the police failed in its intelligence to sniff possibility of the attacks, saying it was not something to run into, but to approach with clear understanding. The Force pledged to give the deceased’s benefits to his family and contributed Shs1 million.

The mother of the deceased, Ms Joyce Bataka, said after the death of their family head, Mugume became their hope and bread earner. She said Mugume, whom she said has been a gift from God, was a hardworking son and had a lot of respect for her.

Mugume’s BioHe was born in 1987 in Bumbaire, Bushenyi District, studied at Bishop Mcalister College Kyogyera and Plus Two High School in Bushenyi for O and A level respectively. He did a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies at Makerere University.

He Joined police in 2010 and trained as a cadet officer. He was posted to Kiira Police Station and later transferred to Bundibugyo as Assistant Superintendent of Police where he met his death on Saturday. Mugume was unmarried.